Finalists named in Wellington’s Battle of the Burger

Finalists named in Wellington’s Battle of the Burger

Burgers were consumed, votes counted and now the steaks have been raised in the final round of Burger Wellington.

Wellington city’s Boulcott Street Bistro and Shinobi Sushi Lounge, Miramar’s Café Polo, Plimmerton’s Topor Bistro and Bar, and Greytown’s Bar Salute will cook off at Le Cordon Bleu tomorrow in a bid to claim the coveted title of Wellington’s best burger.

Visa Wellington On a Plate festival co-director Sarah Meikle said the competition is going to be a bunfight, with the inaugural Burger Wellington winner, Café Polo, back to defend its title. Last year’s runner-up, Bar Salute, is also in the mix.

The cook off – judged by Absolutely Burgered blogger Jeremy Taylor, Burger Wellington sponsor Berl Economics Senior Economist Jason Leung-Wai, and Le Cordon Bleu Chef de Cuisine Adam Newell – will be the final service in this year’s Visa Wellington On a Plate festival. While full economic analysis will get underway shortly, online ticket sales and restaurateur feedback indicate another successful year for the festival’s fourth course.

“While we won’t have a full idea of attendance figures until participants are surveyed and results analysed, we do know close to 15,000 tickets were sold to festival events online, with Beervana and the New Zealand Chocolate Festival reporting increased tickets sales on last year,” said Ms. Meikle.

The White House Restaurant, winner of the inaugural Visa Wellington On a Plate Award, is extending its festival menu for the next few weeks, due to both popularity and demand.

"After the announcement of the award, the restaurant’s festival menu was in hot demand. The White House didn't want anyone to miss out, so has decided to continue running its award-winning menu."

General Manager of Wellesley Boutique Hotel, Roger Chapman, said festival bookings had surpassed expectations.

“Maginnity’s was full for lunch every day and dinner numbers were well up on the norm.

“The two events we ran were very well received by guests and we capped off the festival last night with the final RMS: Titanic Dinner - a fitting finale.”

About Visa Wellington On a Plate

New Zealand’s largest and tastiest culinary festival, Visa Wellington On a Plate, served good times and great deals from August 10-26.

The festival centrepiece was DINE Wellington, a fortnight where over 100 of the region's finest eateries offer lunchtime set menus and delectable dinner deals. This year saw the return of the popular ‘battle of the Burger’, Burger Wellington, and a bevy of over 100 events including Beervana, the NZ Chocolate Festival and Wellington Fisher & Paykel MasterClass.

Background

Positively Wellington Tourism (regional tourism organisation) and Grow Wellington (regional economic development agency) established the Visa Wellington On a Plate festival in 2009 to showcase the region’s food and beverage sector, and to develop culinary tourism in the region. The two organisations plan and market the event in liaison with the food sector and hospitality industry.

Visa Wellington On a Plate 2012 ran from August 10-26. For more information visit www.visawellingtononaplate.com

Visa is the naming rights sponsor of Visa Wellington On a Plate. Visa Entertainment gives Visa Credit, Debit or Pre-paid cardholders access to concert pre-sales, added value offers and competitions. There is no cost to join the programme. By registering your email address you'll be sent emails about the hottest pre-sales and offers. www.visaentertainment.co.nz

ENDS

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